A DRUNKEN Christmas partygoer who headbutted and punched a hotel area manager has been issued with a community penalty.

Kristian Robert Jones appeared at Furness Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to the assault by beating of Christopher Roper at the Hotel Imperial in Barrow, on November 26.

The court heard that the 25-year-old was on a work Christmas night out at the venue and he had tried to get involved in a dispute that was being resolved by Mr Roper, area manager for a group which includes the Cornwallis Street hotel.

Prosecutor, Mr Peter Kelly said there had been some prodding and Jones had headbutted Mr Roper. The incident continued at the hotel doors where Jones then punched Mr Roper.

Jones, of Fell Croft, Dalton, also admitted an offence of violent behaviour at a police station on the morning of November 27.

The defendant was checked by a nurse at the police station as he had been struggling with his breathing. It was concluded that Jones had a chest infection and low blood sugar, but he was deemed fit.

Mr Kelly said Jones "became argumentative, with no reasoning, increasingly aggressive and was thrashing around" at the police station.

The prosecutor said Jones told police that he had drunk 12 or 14 double vodkas and had not eaten in the day. Jones claimed be had been grabbed by the throat at the hotel.

Jones had apologised to police and said: "It's just not me; it was down to the amount of alcohol at the time."

Defending Jones, Mr Sean Harkin, said it was an unpleasant incident with fairly limited injury.

Mr Harkin said: "The defendant is remorseful - he is sorry; it's just not him. He was under the influence of alcohol.

"He got drunk and acted inappropriately. He very much regrets his actions."

The magistrates imposed a community order for Jones to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £85 costs, a victim surcharge of £85 and £100 compensation to Mr Roper.

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